Instrument panel with spaced cushioning devices



Dec. 8, 1931. M. v. TERRY 1,835,577

INSTRUMENT PANEL WITH SPACED GUSHIONING DEVICES Filed Jan. 16, 1930JMr/Zj Patented Dec. 8, 1931 em j mms MICHAEL v, TERRY,

PATENT- ;oFFics i 1 INSTRUMENT PANEL. WITH srecnn ousnronrne DeviousApplication filed January 16, 1930. Serial No. 421,142.

The present invention relates to novel types and arrangements ofresilient spacers for usein theyieldablesupport of glass plates; and, asimplied by the above title, said invention has-been developed withparticular reference tothe application of'a gentle but are supported orguided by parts formed or carried by one or more lnner metallic.

plates,-such as have heretofore been employed at the 1nner s de ofaglass closure In instrument panels of the mentionec type, it has beencommon to provide, on the forward or concealedside of a glass plate,usually common to several instruments, one

or more inner metallic plates,a'so-called face plate being ofteninterposed between" said glass plate and'a comparatively heavy backing?plate,suitable for the support of instruments ;and flanges provided uponone or both of these inner metallic plates have often been brought intojuxtaposition to a flange provided upon arbezel-carrying finishing orcover plate upon the exposed rearward or outer side of said glass plate.In these known constructions, more or less continuous strips ofcushioning material have commonly been employed near the edges of saidplate and upon both sides thereof; butthe known constructions referredto have provided space for only practicallycontinuous and usuallycomparatively thin cushioningstrips in contact with the concealed orforward side of the glass; and irregularities in the'op posed surfaces,and/or inequalitiesin the elasticity of the stocks in the pressuresapplied T therethrough have beenfound to result. in undue lossbybreakage. "It is accordingly an object of the present invention,whether ems ploying one ofimore metallic plates upon the inner side ofthe glass, to provide panel or? ganizations which include separatelyformed and suitably spaced cushioning elements,* which are disposed withtheir-axes at right angles to theplanes of said plates andwhich exceedin length the distance between the mentioned glass plate and-theadjacentfmetallic plate. f V V 7 Other objects of'this invention,including the optional use of upwardly projecting or FLINT, MICHIGAN,Assrenon TO A o szeanx PLUG COMPANY; or FLINT, MICHIGAN, A ooarrenY orMICHIGAN i points and/or thimbles, carried by one or' both of thementioned inner metallic plates, and optionally involving the use'ofcompression springs in some or all of said c'ush ioning devices, may bebest appreciated from the following description of alternativeembodiments of said invention, takenin'-con'- nection with the appendedclaims and accompanying drawing i Fig. 1' isa forward-lookingelevation'alf' view showing part of a dash and one type of instrumentpanel organization "in which the present invention may be utilizedinholding a glass closure plate, common to several instruments, inposition,a part being bro ken away. r 1

Fig. 2' is a sectional view, which maybe regarded as takenin the generalmanner suggested by the broken line 22 of Fig. -1,'-j various typesofcushioningdevices, all within the scope of the present invention,being" H shown as incorporated therein. v

Fig. 3 isalarger scale sectionalview,'corresponding to the left handportion of Fig. 1 but with parts out or broken away to variouslevels.Fig. 4=is a detailed perspective view, taken from the general directionsuggested by the" arrows at of Figs.- 1 and 2 and illustratingthe use ofa rectangular type of cushioning element 'slidably held by intermediatemetallic plate. a

' Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective' view com parable with Fig. 4, butshowing ,only a guides cut-from-an i 90 cylindrical cushioningelement,'this bei ng suggested for alternative use within. rectan gularor other guiding meansof thegeneral vices, thesebeing suitable foreitherconjoint.

'modes of embodimentof -cushioning lde a bezel-providing finishing plateor cover plate 16,the bezel 17 thereof being adapted to interfit withinthe mentioned opening in the dash or instrument'board '11. The bezel isshown as comprising a longitudinal depressed portion 18, centrallyengaging cushioning strip 19, v which may extend entirely around theglass plate 15 near the edge thereof; the mentioned metallic plates maybe rigidly held in their assembled relationship by any suitablemeans,suchas an inward rebending of a flange 20, provided at theperiphery of one of said plates and adapted to enclose substantiallyparallel flanges 12 and 14,1shown as provided upon the respectiveplates12 and 14; and, assuming that both of thementioned inner platesare employed, the plate 12 may be formed of amaterial suiiiciently heavyto permit the use of means such as screws '21, entering threaded bosses22, shown as inwardly pro jectingv therefrom, in the support of thementioned'instruments 13.

. Coming now to more novel features, the

' plate 14 isshown as provided. with a plurality of spaced openings 23,adapted respectively to receive separatespacing and cushionin g devices,-including cylindrical, prismatic or other cushioning elementsdisposed with their axes at right angle to the planesof. the mentionedplates and'exceeding in length the distance between the aperturedmetallic plate and the glass plate tobe cushioned. Incidentally to thepiercing of the plate 14,to provide the mentioned apertures 23, inwardlyextending angular or other guide elements 24 may be so shaped anddisposed as slidably to receive cylindrical or other prismaticcushioning elements,such for example, as are shown at 25, in Fig. 4, andat 25a, in Fig. 5. One end of each of. these cushioning elements isshown as extending: into engagement with the glass plate 15, a suitablepressure being applied to-the other end thereof by one of the plates 12or 14, whether directly or indirectly.

The cross-sectional outline of the cushioning elements may naturallydepend somewhat upon the selection made among alternative materialsavailable. therefor; but it will be obvious that they maybe formed fromma-- 111' the. openings .23, but not necessarily I 'corresponding inoutline with the cross-sectional configuration thereof. Cork has anadvantageous non-slipping quality; and various units may be inserted inadvance in one or the other of the inner plates, or added during orafter the assembly of the described organization.

It is suggested in Fig. 6 that, instead of being engaged by the plate12?), cushioning elements 25'?) may be loosely fitted withinthimbles26?), the latter being inserted in circular or other openings 23b in anintermediate plate 1412; and in Fig. 7 an openended thimble 2.60 isshown as receiving not only a cushioning element in the form of afiangedstud or button 250'but also a compression spring 25c,towhichcompressure may be applied by a main backing plate 120.

In the construction shown in Fig. 8, an inner metallic plate 146i isshown as ape'rtured to receive comparatively rugged thimbles 26d, eachof which may receivenot only a cushion button 25d but a compressionspring 25d; and Fig. 9 illustrates another simple embodiment of theinvention,in which a plate'12e may be provided with bosses 26c, adaptedto receive cushioning elements 256. For a dustexcluding or other effect,a thimble or disc 266 may be inserted, and/or the boss 260 may beprovided with integral prongs 24c,

inwardly bent from suclrpositions as are indicated in dotted lines andadapted then to engage and retain the cushioning elements 250 orinterposed discs 26'e,interposed plates 146, if provided,beingsuitablyapertured, as at 236.

Fig. 10 illustrates an'optional embodiment which is shown as includingsubstantially all of the mentioned features and additional features. Anopen-ended thimble 26f slidably receives a cushioning element 25f; andthe main plate 12; is shown as providing an integral thimble or boss26/. The latter may include prongs 24f, inwardly bent to retain a disc28]; and a compression spring 25f is shown as retained between the disc28f and a companion disc 28 integral with thimble 26f or otherwisemovable relatively toboss'26f. If desired, this boss may beexternally'threaded, as at 29;, for the reception of a threaded cap 26f,or like'means for applying axial pressure to the cushioning element 25)and/or the spring 25f; and, in order to permit the use of thisembodiment of the invention in the incidental retention of an instrument13;, a centralboss 30f, shown as directly engaging the plate 28f, may,if desired, be internally threaded in'readiness for the optionalemployment of a screw 21;, shown as directly engaging an instrumentflange 13d. This'figureincidentally suggests a one-instrumentconstruction in which the use of any intermediate .m'eta'l'lic plate isunnecessary;

The general mode of construction and use of all embodiments of thepresent invention being clearly indicated above, it may be againemphasized, in conclusion, that the described devices obviate thenecessity for providing means to retain substantially continuous gasketsbetween the inner metallic plates and the transparent closure plates ofinstrument board organizations and thereby reduce expense and largelyobviate breakage of glass in production, handling, assembling and/oractual use of such organizations upon motor vehicles,the mentionedbreakage having been found to result largely from uneven pressuresapplied through long and often relatively thin inner gaskets, asheretofore used with their longitudinal axes parallel with the mentionedplates; and it will be seen that this invention may provide for aseparate adjustment of pressure applied through each cushion, if andwhere desired. It also provides,

in various embodiments of the invention, for

an application of pressure to the cushioning elements directly orindirectly by the main backing plate of a panel organization and/ or byan intermediate plate. desired,reliance' upon the former being foundadvantageous by reason of the comparative uniformity andv flatness ofthe more rugged backing plates.

The use of a lock nut is suggested at 31f in that unnecessarilycomplicated form shown in Fig. 10: and it will be noted that the prongs24f and other features of this form are not requisite to theoperativeness thereof. This embodiment. however. like. the very simpleembodiment shown in Fig. 9, is one that admits of the insertions of thecushioning elements from either direction. even after a main backinplate is in place. On the other hand. angular or other projections suchas are shown at 24:, and also the thimbles 266, 267, 26f, 26f, as one ormore may be employed, need not positively grip the cushioningelementtherein,bein9; intended rather as guides and/or stops to hold the axesof the same substantially at right angles to the glass or other elementto be cushioned and the provision of flanges 325, etc. (variouscharacters not specifically mentioned herein being applied to thedrawings in a manner consistent with the indicated. usage)p'redetermines a direction of insertion. It also renders the mentionedthimbles (and thereby the devices com prising the same) self-retaining,in use, regardless a degree of imperfection of fit, some of thesedevices being entirely suitable for separate manufacture and sale, to beused in any suitable openings.

Although the foregoing description has included reference to but alimited number of alternative embodiments, it will be understood notonly that various features of the present invention are capable ofindependent use, but also that numerous modifications, additional tothose mentioned, can easily be devised by skilled workers 'who maybecome acquainted with the foregoing,all within the scope of the presentinvention. I claim: f i 1. An instrument panel comprising: a glassclosure plate; a plurality of-metallic plates disposed on the inner"side thereof, one

of said plates being provided with spaced apertures; and separatecushioning elements exteudingthrough said apertures into contact withsaid glass plate, said cushioning elements being pressed thereto by oneof said metallic plates. l v

2. An instrument panel comprising: a glass closure plate a pluralityof'metallic' plates disposed on the inner side therof,'one ofsaid'plates being provided with spaced apertures; and separatecushioning elements extending through said apertures into con tact withsaid glass plate,said cushioning elements being pressed thereto by oneof said metallic plates and one of said metallic plates beingprovidedwith guide means for said cushioning elements. 4

3. An instrument panel comprising: a glass closure plate; a'pluralityfof metallic plates disposed on the inner side thereof, one ofsaid plates being provided with spaced apertures; and separatecushioningjelements extending through said apertures into con tact withsaid glass plate,said cushioning elements beingpressed'thereto by one ofsaid 7 metallic plates, and a cushion-carrying metallie plate beingdisposed in front of said glass plate and retained by means compris inga flange on one of said'plates. V

4. In means for applying yielding pressure tothe inner side of a glassplate comprised in instrument panel which includes also an innormetallic plate: cushioning element's whose longitudinal axes extendsubstantially at right angles to the. planes of said plates and exceed,in length, the distance between said plates, said elements engaging saidglass plate, means for applying pressure to said elements so that theyserveto hold the glass platein position,said metallic platebeingprovided with separate apertures through which separate cushioningelements extend and means for securing said metal plate in fixedrelation to said glass plate. 7

5. In an instrument panel the combination" of an'apertured metallicplate, a glass plate extending parallel with the metallic plate, a:cushioning element which extends at' right angles to said plates andthrough an aperture in saidv metallic plate; guide means for saidelement and means for applyingto said element substantially axialpressurein the direction of said glass plate.

6. In an'instrument panel the combinatio of an apertured metallic plate,a glass plate i extending parallel with the metallic plate,

a cushioning element which extends at right;

angles to said plates and through an aperture in. said metallic-plate; aguide means for said element; and means for applying to saidelementsubstantially axial pressure in the direction of said glass plate,saidguide means being carried by said metallic plate.

7. In an instrument panel the combination ofan apertured metallic plate,a glass plate extending parallel withthe metallic plate, acushioning'element which extends at right angles to said plates andthrough an aperture'in said metallic plate; guide means for saidelement; and means for applying'to said element substantially axialpressure in the direction of: said glass plate,said guide 5Ineansinclud-ing projections from said metallic plate. 1

8. In an instrument panel thecombination ofan 'apertured'metallic plate,a glass plate extending parallel with the metallic plate,

2 a cushioningelement whose axis extends at right angles to said plates;guide means therefor ;'and means for applying to said elementsubstantially axial pressure in the direction of said glassplate,said.guide means including a thimblewhich slidably receives saidcushioning element.

9. In an instrument panel the combination of an apertured metallicplate, a glass plate extending parallel with the metallic plate,

30 a cushioning element engaging said glass plate; guide means therefor;and means for applying to said element substantially axialpressure inthe: direction of said glass plate, said guidemeans including a thimblewhich v35 is open at both'ends, slidably to receive said cushioningelement;

10. I11 an instrument panel the combination of an apertured metallicplate, a glass plate extending parallel with the metallic plate, acushioning element contacting said glass plate and extendingsubstantially at right angles thereto; guide means for said element; andmeans for applying to said element substantially axial pressure in thedi- 45 rection of said glass plate,said last-mentioned. means includinga compression spring."

1-1. In an instrument panel the combinationof an aperturedmetallicplate, a glass 0 plate extending parallel with the metallic plate, acushioning element contacting said glass plate and extendingsubstantially at right angles thereto; guide means for said element; andmeans for applying to-said element substantially axial pressure in thedirection of said glass .plate,said last-mentioned ineansacting througha compression spring, and j said guide means including a thimble whichreceives 7 said spring.

'60 In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

' ."MIOII-AEL V. TERRY,

